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Jargon Buster

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PCQ Bureau
New Update

Archie:

A search tool

for use with FTP that searches an Archie site (a database of filenames) for a color="#000000">specific filename.

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ARPANET (Advanced Research

Projects Agency Network):
The predecessor of the Internet, in use between 1971

and 1990, connecting military and academic institutions. Officially dismantled in 1990.

Certificate authority:

An

organization that issues digital certificates. A CA is responsible for guaranteeing a

certificate holder’s identity.

CGI (Common Gateway

Interface):
A specification for transferring information between a Webserver and

a CGI program. The programs can be written in any language like C, Perl, Visual Basic,

Java, as long as it conforms to CGI specifications. CGI makes it possible for Webservers

to dynamically interact with users. The most common use of CGI is seen in online forms.

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Client:

When you access a service on

a computer, then your computer is the client, while the other one is called the server.

Services include file and print, e-mail, Web, etc. When you access a service on

a computer, then your computer is the client, while the other one is called the server.

Services include file and print, e-mail, Web, etc.

Digital certificate:

An attachment

sent along with a message for authentication purposes. A digital certificate verifies that

the user sending the message is who he or she claims to be. An attachment

sent along with a message for authentication purposes. A digital certificate verifies that

the user sending the message is who he or she claims to be.

Directory service:

A service that

stores information on the network in a hierarchical format for easy accessibility. It can

store information about applications, equipment, and users on a network. A service that

stores information on the network in a hierarchical format for easy accessibility. It can

store information about applications, equipment, and users on a network.

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Domain:

A group of computers that

function under common rules. On the Internet, it’s put as an extension in a host name

for identifying the type of host. Various domain types have been identified. These include

.com (company/commercial), .edu (educational institutions), .gov (government), .mil

(military), .org (organization). Outside the US, the domain name is a 2-letter country

code (.in for India).

DNS (Domain Name System):

A system used on the Internet to translate IP addresses into easy to remember names. The

service that does this translation is called DNS. DNS servers are connected with each

other over the Internet. So, if one DNS server doesn’t have an IP address translation

in its table, it queries other systems running DNS to find out.

Download:

To copy a file from a

remote machine, for example, with anonymous FTP, or when you want to copy a program from a

Website and save it to your hard disk. To copy a file from a

remote machine, for example, with anonymous FTP, or when you want to copy a program from a

Website and save it to your hard disk.

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To copy a file from a

remote machine, for example, with anonymous FTP, or when you want to copy a program from a

Website and save it to your hard disk.

DHCP (Dynamic Host

Configuration Protocol):
A protocol used for dynamically assigning IP addresses

to clients that request for it. When configuring a DHCP server, a pool or range of IP

addresses has to be given. The server then uses DHCP to assign the IP addresses from this

pool.

DHTML (Dynamic HTML):

Refers to Web pages that change their contents depending on client requests.

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Finger:

A standard utility that is

part of the TCP/IP protocol stack that lets you determine who is a valid user and who is

logged into a system you have access to. It’s used in UNIX based systems. The syntax

is finger username@domain. name, or finger@host.

Firewall:

A system to prevent

unauthorized access to a private network. A firewall is used on a network directly

connected to the Internet to prevent outside Internet users from accessing it. A system to prevent

unauthorized access to a private network. A firewall is used on a network directly

connected to the Internet to prevent outside Internet users from accessing it.

Freeware: Software

that is distributed free of charge, but often without customer service or much

documentation.

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FTP (File Transfer

Protocol):
A simple program to transfer files over a network from one computer to

another. Many FTP servers allow you to download files without having an account on the

machine, by using anonymous or FTP for a user name and your e-mail address as a password.

This is a major means of distributing software and info on the Internet.

Gateway

: A device that is connected

to the Internet, and allows other machines inside a company’s network to access the

Internet. In other words, it’s the connection point between a LAN and the Internet.

The device can be a specialized piece of hardware like a router, or it can be software

installed on a computer.

GIF (Graphics Interchange

Format):
A standard graphics image format used on the Internet.

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Gopher:

A menu-based system for

organizing and distributing information on the Internet. It’s similar to FTP as it

lets users browse or download files and directories. A key feature of Gopher is the

ability to include menu items that connect the user to other Gopher servers. Gopher is no

longer in popular use.

Hacker:

Originally, this term

referred to crackerjack programmers and computer experts and connoted respect. Though this

meaning is still in use, this word is now also used (especially by the media) to refer to

people who deliberately try to penetrate the security of other computers. The computer

user community prefers to call these people crackers. Originally, this term

referred to crackerjack programmers and computer experts and connoted respect. Though this

meaning is still in use, this word is now also used (especially by the media) to refer to

people who deliberately try to penetrate the security of other computers. The computer

user community prefers to call these people crackers.

Header:

Information in the beginning

of a piece of data being sent over a network that describes its content, the destination

address, etc. Information in the beginning

of a piece of data being sent over a network that describes its content, the destination

address, etc.

Homepage

: An HTML document that

serves as the main access point to a company’s Website.

Guest

: When you connect to or log

onto a remote computer on which you don’t have your own account, (perhaps using a

special account for guests) you are referred to as a guest or visitor.

HTML (HyperText Markup

Language):
A simple and easy to learn programming language that Web documents are

written in.

HTTP (HyperText Transfer

Protocol):
The protocol used on the Internet to transfer HTML documents. All Web

browsers use this protocol to read the Web pages.

Hypertext

: A new concept for

organizing information made possible by computers, where keywords or phrases can be used

not only to reference additional resources, but also serve as software links to these

resources. : A new concept for

organizing information made possible by computers, where keywords or phrases can be used

not only to reference additional resources, but also serve as software links to these

resources.

IMAP4

: The Internet Message Access

Protocol lets you view your e-mail at the server treating the server mailbox as an

extension of your computer. You can view, delete and search for mail on the server, and

only download the ones you need to your local machine. : The Internet Message Access

Protocol lets you view your e-mail at the server treating the server mailbox as an

extension of your computer. You can view, delete and search for mail on the server, and

only download the ones you need to your local machine.

Interface

: The manner in which a

user provides information to a computer program. Some examples are GUI for graphical user

interface, and CLI for command line interface. : The manner in which a

user provides information to a computer program. Some examples are GUI for graphical user

interface, and CLI for command line interface.

Internet

: The Internet is the Grand

Daddy of all networks. It’s a collection of computers and computer networks across

the world that communicate across dedicated high-speed phone lines using a single protocol

family called TCP/IP.

IP address:

A unique set of four

numbers between 1 and 254 separated by periods, such as 209.194.84.60, used to identify

every machine connected to the Internet. As these numbers are very difficult to remember,

they are mapped to an easy to remember name, which is called the host name. A unique set of four

numbers between 1 and 254 separated by periods, such as 209.194.84.60, used to identify

every machine connected to the Internet. As these numbers are very difficult to remember,

they are mapped to an easy to remember name, which is called the host name.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat):

A program that allows multiple users to conduct typed conversations in real time over the

Internet.

ISO (International

Organization for Standardization):
An international body made up of

national standard bodies from over 75 countries. It’s engaged in defining standards.

The most popular computer standard defined by ISO was the OSI model.

ITU (International

Telecommunications Union):
An international body engaged in defining

telecommunication standards.

JPEG (Joint Photographics

Expert Group):
A standard (compressed) format for color images commonly used on

the Internet. They use the JPG or JPEG extensions.

Jughead (Jonzy’s

universal gopher hierarchy excavation and display):
A powerful gopher search tool

written by Rhett "Jonzy" Jones.

Kermit:

A simple modem protocol for

transferring files between Macs and/or PCs, or from these to bigger computers. Since

TCP/IP was adopted as the official Internet protocol in 1983, most PC software has

abandoned Kermit. However, Kermit and its cousins X-, Y-, and Z-modem are still needed in

the absence of an ethernet or SLIP connection. A simple modem protocol for

transferring files between Macs and/or PCs, or from these to bigger computers. Since

TCP/IP was adopted as the official Internet protocol in 1983, most PC software has

abandoned Kermit. However, Kermit and its cousins X-, Y-, and Z-modem are still needed in

the absence of an ethernet or SLIP connection.

LDAP (Lightweight Directory

Access Protocol):
A set of protocols for querying information directories. There

are various directory services on the Internet that can be queried for information. LDAP

is being used in operating systems like the upcoming Windows 2000 and NetWare for querying

their directory services. LDAP is a simpler version of the X.500 directory service

standard.

Lynx:

A text only Web browser. A text only Web browser.

Mailing list:

A mechanism for

simultaneously distributing e-mail messages to a group of e-mail users who have subscribed

to the list. A common use of mailing lists is in newsletter subscriptions. A mechanism for

simultaneously distributing e-mail messages to a group of e-mail users who have subscribed

to the list. A common use of mailing lists is in newsletter subscriptions.

MIME (Multipurpose Internet

Mail Extensions):
A way to encapsulate binary file attachments, such as images

and sounds into e-mail messages. The method was originally suggested in RFC-1341.

MP3 (MPEG1 Layer 3):

A new format for storing audio information that is becoming very popular on the

Internet. It achieves very high compression ratios, and gives high quality playback. Some

shareware MP3 players are available on the Internet. There is an upgrade to the Windows

Media Player that also supports this standard.

Mirror site:

A site that is the

exact replica of another site. This is used by various anonymous FTP sites to reduce

bandwidth bottlenecks, so that more users can access it. A site that is the

exact replica of another site. This is used by various anonymous FTP sites to reduce

bandwidth bottlenecks, so that more users can access it.

Multilink PPP:

A protocol that

combines the bandwidths of multiple PPP links to give greater throughputs. A protocol that

combines the bandwidths of multiple PPP links to give greater throughputs.

Netiquette:

The etiquette of

communicating over the Internet. The Internet community follows various conventions when

transmitting information over the Internet. For example, sending a message in all caps is

the equivalent of shouting. The etiquette of

communicating over the Internet. The Internet community follows various conventions when

transmitting information over the Internet. For example, sending a message in all caps is

the equivalent of shouting.

Newsgroup:

A UseNet discussion group

or bulletin board. Users can subscribe to newsgroups, and then see all or post messages on

it. A UseNet discussion group

or bulletin board. Users can subscribe to newsgroups, and then see all or post messages on

it.

NSFNET:

The backbone of the Internet

since 1990 when ARPANET was dismantled. It originally linked six supercomputers through

high-speed phone lines. The backbone of the Internet

since 1990 when ARPANET was dismantled. It originally linked six supercomputers through

high-speed phone lines.

Online:

A standard terminology that

indicates whether an Internet connection is live or not. A standard terminology that

indicates whether an Internet connection is live or not.

PINE (Pine Is Not Elm):

A sophisticated e-mail utility that can send not only text files, but also binary files,

such as images and sounds by using MIME.

Ping (Packet Internet

Gopher):
A utility that checks whether a host on the Internet is

accessible or not. It’s mostly used to troubleshoot connectivity issues on the

Internet.

PNG (Portable Network

Graphics):
A new graphics format that is becoming popular on the Internet.

Port:

A 16-bit number used by a

server to identify itself to clients. A client connecting to a computer uses an IP address

as well as a port number to talk to a particular server. A 16-bit number used by a

server to identify itself to clients. A client connecting to a computer uses an IP address

as well as a port number to talk to a particular server.

PPP (Point-to-Point

Protocol):
A protocol that dynamically assigns an IP address to a computer, so

that it can access the Internet.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI):

A

technique that uses digital certificates to verify the authenticity of all parties

involved in an Internet transaction. A

technique that uses digital certificates to verify the authenticity of all parties

involved in an Internet transaction.

Public/private key encryption :

A

cryptographic algorithm which uses two keys, one to encrypt and the other to decrypt the

data. A

cryptographic algorithm which uses two keys, one to encrypt and the other to decrypt the

data.

Push technology:

A technology being

used on the Internet in which a server sends out information to the client without the

client requesting for it. The most common use of the technology is seen in subscribing to

newsletters, where news is sent to the registered clients without requesting for it. A technology being

used on the Internet in which a server sends out information to the client without the

client requesting for it. The most common use of the technology is seen in subscribing to

newsletters, where news is sent to the registered clients without requesting for it.

Pull technology:

The opposite of

Push technology in which information is only provided when a client requests for it. The

Web functions on pull technology where a browser sends a request to a Website for

information. The opposite of

Push technology in which information is only provided when a client requests for it. The

Web functions on pull technology where a browser sends a request to a Website for

information.

RFCs (Request For Comments):

The working notes of the committees that develop the protocols and standards of the

Internet, including proposed changes. These documents contain a great deal of info about

the Net and are maintained by the Internet Activities Board (IAB).

Shareware:

Software that is

distributed for a small fee. There is a large shareware community that is philosophically

opposed to selling software for profit. Software that is

distributed for a small fee. There is a large shareware community that is philosophically

opposed to selling software for profit.

Socket:

A software object that

connects a program (process) to a network protocol. A socket allows a software program

(process) to converse with other processes over a network. Sockets use different numbers,

known as ports to communicate with each other. A software object that

connects a program (process) to a network protocol. A socket allows a software program

(process) to converse with other processes over a network. Sockets use different numbers,

known as ports to communicate with each other.

TCP/IP

(Transmission Control

Protocol/ Internet Protocol): A family of protocols used over the Internet. This family

includes protocols for handling data transport (TCP, UDP), routing (IP, ICMP, RIP, OSPF),

addresses (ARP, DNS, RARP), user services (BOOTP, FTP, TELNET), gateways (EGP, GGP, IGP),

and other services (NFS, NIS, RPC, SMTP, SNMP). (Transmission Control

Protocol/ Internet Protocol): A family of protocols used over the Internet. This family

includes protocols for handling data transport (TCP, UDP), routing (IP, ICMP, RIP,

OSPF),

addresses (ARP, DNS, RARP), user services (BOOTP, FTP, TELNET), gateways (EGP,

GGP, IGP),

and other services (NFS, NIS, RPC, SMTP, SNMP).

Telnet

: A utility to log onto a

remote computer. : A utility to log onto a

remote computer.

Tunneling:

A method used to connect

two points using the Internet as the channel. VPNs use tunneling to establish connections

between different computers. The tunneling is done using various tunneling protocols like

PPTP, L2F, IPSec, etc. These protocols encapsulate the data inside the TCP/IP protocol so

that it can be sent over the Internet. Some of these protocols like IPSec also encrypt the

data before sending it for security. A method used to connect

two points using the Internet as the channel. VPNs use tunneling to establish connections

between different computers. The tunneling is done using various tunneling protocols like

PPTP, L2F, IPSec, etc. These protocols encapsulate the data inside the TCP/IP protocol so

that it can be sent over the Internet. Some of these protocols like IPSec also encrypt the

data before sending it for security.

URL (Universal Resource

Locator):
The mechanism used by the Internet to find a particular page, image, or

sound. Simply speaking, it’s an address for the page.

UseNet (Users’

Network):
A text-based mechanism that supports discussion groups known as

newsgroups, that allow users from anywhere on the Internet to participate. Contrary to the

name, it’s not actually a network but a service available on the Internet.

uuencode (Unix-to-Unix

encoding):
A UNIX utility for converting binary files to ASCII for transmission

via e-mail between UNIX machines. On the receiving end, uudecode is used to convert back

to binary.

Veronica (Very Easy

Rodent-Oriented Net-wide Index to Computerized Archives):
A search tool for use

with Gophers (a rodent).

VPN (Virtual Private Networking):

A

technology that allows interconnectivity between networks or between mobile users and a

network using the Internet backbone as the media for transferring the data. A

technology that allows interconnectivity between networks or between mobile users and a

network using the Internet backbone as the media for transferring the data.

W3C:

The World Wide Web Consortium

is an international organization involved in creating and maintaining most Web-based

standards. The World Wide Web Consortium

is an international organization involved in creating and maintaining most Web-based

standards.

WAIS (Wide Area Information

Servers):
Using keywords supplied by the user, WAIS servers search their

databases for any files which contain a match. WAIS goes beyond Gopher, FTP, and Archie

searches, but is somewhat similar to WebCrawler.

Web browser: An

application for browsing the Internet. These browsers can read both HTTP and FTP Websites.

There are many popular Web browsers around like Netscape Communicator, and Internet

Explorer.

Web page:

A page written in

HyperText Markup Language that’s available on the Internet through the HTTP protocol.

Website:

A site consisting of

various Web pages that can be accesses by anyone connected to the Internet. A site consisting of

various Web pages that can be accesses by anyone connected to the Internet.

WWW (World Wide Web):

Now more commonly known as the Web. It’s a system that lets users graphically browse

through sites on the Internet, and follow pointers (called links or hyperlinks) to other

documents that can be anywhere.

XML (Extensible Markup

Language):
A new scripting language being developed by the W3C (World Wide Web

Consortium) which provides more functionality than HTML.

X.500:

An ISO and ITU standard that

defines how a directory service should be structured. An ISO and ITU standard that

defines how a directory service should be structured.

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